A Higher Standard
Leading yourself well means that you hold yourself to a higher standard of accountability than others do. Why? Because God holds you responsible not only for your own actions, but also for those of the people you lead. Leadership is a trust, not a right. For that reason, you must “fix” yourself earlier than others may be required to.Thomas J. Watson, the former chairman of IBM, said, “Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” Leaders receive very little fanfare for quietly leading themselves well day in and day out. Most people are unaware of the disciplines their leaders practice or the sacrifices they make outside of the spotlight. However, they don’t do it for recognition; they do it for results. What leaders do day-to-day always pays off in the long run. Success or failure isn’t an event, but a process.
The bottom line is that the smallest crowd you will ever lead is you—but it’s the most important one. If you do that well, then you will earn the right to lead even bigger crowds. And on the days that you find it difficult to lead yourself well and you’re tempted to give up, remember the Parable of the Minas. To the servants who managed their affairs well, their master gave them greater leadership responsibilities; He put them in charge of cities (Luke 19:17). What’s more, he told them, “Well done.”
Lead yourself well, and God will reward your faithfulness.
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